ZULFALI IMAMALI IBRAHIMOV (1910-1972) Historian

Zulfali Ibrahimov was born in the city of Sarab, Western Azerbaijan, on 25 December, 1910. In 1924, he moved to Baku with his family, where he received his higher education. In 1935, he graduated from All-Union Institute of Journalists, and worked for several newspapers. In 1936, he embarked on a teaching career. He established the Department of History of Azerbaijan at Baku State University, and was appointed the first head of the department. In 1941, he defended a PhD thesis, and obtained a ScD degree in 1948 and professorship in 1950. In 1959, he was elected a corresponding member of Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences. In 1941-1942, Zulfali Ibrahimov was editor of “Qızıl Asgar” military newspaper of the 23rd division, Caucasus Corps, Transcaucasia Front. In 1948, he was elected dean of the Faculty of History, Azerbaijan State University, a post he held until 1960. Simultaneously he served as department head and professor at the departments of history of Azerbaijan and USSR. From 1960 to 1967, he worked as director of the Institute of History, Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences. From 1967 to 1972, he headed the Department of History of Azerbaijan. He supervised nearly 80 PhD and ScD students to completion. Zulfali Ibrahimov chaired Scientific Coordination Council under the Academy of Sciences, and was a member of the Public Sciences Publishing Council, thesis defence councils on public sciences and history, and Scientific Council of BSU and the Faculty of History. He published nearly 300 papers and works. He was the recipient of the orders of “October Revolution” and “Badge of Honor”, a number of medals and certificates of recognition, and laureate of Azerbaijan SSR State Award.